@Doug Freeman Thanks for the reply. That's interesting to hear about the DVR and low speed torque. My top two must-haves are variable speed and a sliding headstock. I want to be able to turn from the end of the bed for hollowing. Right now I'm narrowed down to the Nebula and the Laguna Revo 1836. The outboard turning is cool, but I really don't think I'll need to go beyond 18" in diameter, based on the last 15-20 years of this hobby.
I think you are missing a few of the best attributes of the outrigger with pivot HS - its not for just larger dia work. I dont do much work outside the 16” swing of the Galaxi, but I use the the heck out of the pivot HS and outrigger:
Bowls (any size)- no need to remove and then replace the TS and then slide the HS down. Small bowls just pivot the HS out a few degrees and slide the banjo out. For bowls bigger than ~6-7 inches, the banjo doesnt some out far enough, for me anyway, so the HS is swung ~ 120 deg and the outrigger is used.
HF’s - pivot the work out ~10-15 deg, or around 120 deg, full access from right or left, no bed in the way, no TS to remove and replace.
Sanding/finishing - pivot the HS out 90 deg, full access for sanding/finishing, no dripping finish on the lathe bed.
The only time I need to remove the TS is when I use my hollowing rig.
Edit: I forgot one - when work is large enough to block the banjo from passing under it, and you have to get back there, on other lathes the work has to come off (handling a large and possibly heavy piece) twice - 1st to move the banjo to the HS, and again to move the banjo back. With a pivot HS, just pivot the HS away from you, move the banjo, swing the HS back, do the work, swing out again, move the banjo, swing the HS back, lock it, turn.
Last thing - the Galaxi will turn work just as big and heavy as any other 16" swing lathe. Many believe a pivot HS doesn't have the structural integrity of sliding HS. I haven't done the calculations (I have the engineering knowledge to do so) but I have turned several pieces over 20" long at max swing capacity, and hollowed them out - proof enough for me that the design is sufficient. Too many folks think their experience with the older design pivot HS's that were a bit flimsy (I had a harbor freight version, so I'm well experienced with them) is relevant in analyzing Nova's later designs. It isn't.